N4#grammar#intent#plans#n4

Permission & Obligation Lesson 4

Master the expression of intent and personal plans using the 'tsumori' structure, and review how it fits into the broader context of obligation and expectation in Japanese.

Context

Making Plans

You have been busy studying for the JLPT, but you have also been thinking about what you want to do after the exam. Whether it is traveling, resting, or starting a new hobby, you need a way to express your firm intentions to others.

In Japanese, when you have a plan or a firm intention to do something, you use the 'tsumori' structure. It is less about a rigid obligation and more about your personal resolve or the current state of your plans.

Explanation

Using つもり (tsumori)

The word 'tsumori' acts as a noun meaning 'intention' or 'plan'. By attaching it to a verb, you can express what you intend to do.

Verb (Dictionary Form)つもりです

To form this, take the dictionary form of a verb and add 'tsumori desu'. For negative intentions, you can either use the negative dictionary form (e.g., 'ikanai tsumori desu') or the 'tsumori wa arimasen' structure.

Tip

Use this to talk about your own plans. When talking about someone else's plans, it is safer to use 'tsumori da sou desu' (I heard they plan to...) to avoid sounding like you are assuming their thoughts.

Examples

Examples of Intent

See how 'tsumori' is used in daily life to express future actions.

来年(らいねん)、日本(にほん)へ行く(いく)つもりです。

I intend to go to Japan next year.

来年らいねんnext year日本にほんJapan行くいくto goつもりつもりintention

今日(きょう)は残業(ざんぎょう)しないつもりです。

I don't intend to work overtime today.

今日きょうtoday残業ざんぎょうovertimeしないしないwill not do

大学で勉強する【つもり】です。

Hint: The word for 'intention'.

I intend to study at university.

Usage

Nuance and Register

How does 'tsumori' differ from other ways of expressing the future?

つもり vs 予定 (yotei)

つもり

Personal intention or resolve.

行くつもりです

予定

A scheduled plan or arrangement.

行く予定です

Which sentence sounds like a firm personal decision?

✓ 日本へ行くつもりです。
日本へ行く予定です。

つもり emphasizes your personal intent, whereas 予定 implies a schedule or external arrangement.

Deep dive

Deep Dive: Past Tense

You can also use 'tsumori deshita' to talk about past intentions that may or may not have been fulfilled.

Using 'tsumori deshita' often implies that you had a plan, but something happened to change it. For example: '行くつもりでしたが、やめました' (I intended to go, but I stopped/decided against it).

Summary

Lesson Summary

In this lesson, we learned that 'tsumori' is the go-to grammar for expressing personal intentions and plans. Remember to use the dictionary form of the verb before it.

つもり

つもりnoun

intention/plan

来年

らいねんnoun

next year

残業

ざんぎょうnoun

overtime work

予定

よていnoun

schedule/plan